Kerry Wood begins new role as Cubs' spring instructor

Kerry Wood is in his first spring as a Cubs instructor. (Scott Strazzante/Tribune Photo)

MESA, Ariz. – A familiar face was standing behind the pitching mounds at Fitch Park on Tuesday as the Chicago Cubs held their first official workout of the spring.

But this time Kerry Wood was observing, not waiting for his turn to throw off one of the mounds.

Wood, who retired last May, is in his first camp as a spring instructor.

"It was nice not having to run from field to field and doing all the drills," Wood said. "Obviously different, but nice to be back on the field and back in uniform and being around the guys again."

Manager Dale Sveum said Wood will bring his “knowledge and experience for the young players to watch” and will be “off and on” during camp.

“Sometimes a young player will listen to a Kerry Wood before a Dale Sveum,” Sveum said with a laugh. “It’s just a presence, and to give him an opportunity to get on this side of the wall and see if he enjoys this part of it -- front office, development, whatever it might be.”

Wood spoke to some of the young pitchers in a circle, giving them some advice on how to get prepared for the season. He said he's not ready to think about becoming a pitching coach in the future.

"I haven't looked that far ahead," he said. "Just being around here and learning the new faces and the younger guys who are going to be coming through the organization. I was pretty young when I came through it, so I think I have something to offer. It's valuable to have just another guy around for the young guys to go talk to. Sometimes young players can be intimidated to go talk to a big league manager or pitching coach, so it's just another guy that's floating around they may be more comfortable talking with."

Sveum said Wood likely will be around during the entire season. Wood said he'll be around whenever they need him to help out. He still lives in Chicago, but also has a place in Phoenix.

Several pitchers had bullpen sessions, including Scott Baker, who is coming off Tommy John surgery and hopes to be ready to go at the start of the season. With seven potential starters, the Cubs don’t plan on rushing Baker.

“We’re not going to put a timetable on it,” Sveum said. “We’re going to ease him on into things and see how things work. “

It’s too early to make any real judgments, but Sveum said liked what he saw from Travis Wood, who is competing for a rotation spot. “It’s so much different than last year with him,” he said.

Travis Wood went 6-13 with a 4.27 earned-run average in 26 starts last year. If he doesn’t make the rotation, he could be in the bullpen.

“We have enough depth now that whatever happens in that rotation, the way it stacks up right now there’s no doubt we’ll take the best seven guys in that bullpen,” Sveum said. “I don’t think there’s one of those things where we say we need him to go develop as a starter. I think he’s come a long way to the point that his development as a starter is pretty much over. “

Wood is the only left-hander competing for a spot, which could work in his favor, though Sveum said they won’t really have to make a decision on how to go before March 20.